Index and signal



sept. 6, 1932. Af R, JAKSON 1,876,236

INDEX AND S IGNAL Filed March 9, 1931 Emmgl]EDDEDEDEDDDEDDDDDDDECGEI /Z n I1/wanton y /3 Arthur Rex Jacknn signalling device particularl Patented Sept. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT oFi-ICE ARTHUR REX JACKSON, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO REMINGTON RAND INC.,

. F BUFFALO, NEW YORK DIDEX .AND SIGNAL Application illed Harch 9, 1.931, Serial No. 521,345, and in Germany Hay 9, 15380.l

This invention relates to a graphing 0r adapted for use with index equipment Aof t e visible type.

lAn object of the present invention resides in providing a device attachable to marginal portions of a card or like'index device which will enable the visual signalling of two or more conditions present thereon. This is ac-v complished by mounting a pair of su rimposed dividing members on the marginal portion of an index device. These members are of diiler'ent colors and superimposed portions blend to form a third or secondary color. By propermanipulation of these signals, rwhich are independently movable, it is possible to obtain -a varying exposed range for the secondary color area and a selective extent for either of the other colors. This color charting or signalling portion is mounteddirectly over a scalel portion of a card and cooperates with such scale portion to indicate a plurality of conditions.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an easily assembled structure for the signalling device which may be applied to any of the well-known types of visible equipment such as those utiliziny retaining sheaths.

- The specilic structure `of the signal strip and ycooperating card has been specially designed with the object of obtaining proper and economical production.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of an index tray containing a plurality of card holders in offset overlapping relation, each having a visible margin provided with the signalling device of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the lower marginal portion of a special record card.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the two signal strips in disassembled relation.

Fig.`4 is a sectional view taken on the `line 4 4 of Fig. `1 through one of the record cards and its card holder.

Figa 5 is a sectional Viewv taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1 through the same card and holder as in Fig. 4. r

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of F ig.I '1 ythrough the same card and holder as Fig. 4.

' The numeral l indicates an index card, the lower margin 2 of which is laterally slotted at 3 to divide such margin into two sections, a right-hand section 4 anda left-hand section 5. The latter section is provided with an elongated slot 6 which is spaced from and parallel to the edge of the card. `This slot terminates at a spaced distance from the vertical edge of the card and' a spaced distance from the lateral slot 3. The righthand section is provided with scale markings 7 of any suitable or desired arrangement.

A pair of signal strips 8 and 9 are adjustably mounted on the marginal portions of the card l. Both of these strips are formed of 'thin sheet material, preferably transparent celluloid, and are colored distinctively from each other and from vthe card 1. Each ofthe strips 8 and 9 is provided with an elongated rectangular body portion 10 and 11 respectively. At the right extremity of the strip 9 an integral lateral extension forming a handle portion l2 is provided which extends upwardly and is slightly curved for ease of handling.

Immediately below the handle 12 an outwardly extending lip 13 is formed out of the material. The left-hand end of the strip` 8 is similarly provided with a handle portion 14 having a curved surface, .and immediately beneath is a downwardly extending lip 15 formed out of the material of the strip.

The signal strip 8 is mounted below the section 5 and concealed thereby with a portion of the body 10 extending through the lateral slot 3 to lie in visible relation on the surface of the section 4 and with the handle portion 14 projecting through the elongated slot 6 to overlie the opposite surface of the card whereby it is accessible for lateral manipulationwithin the confines of the slot 6 tov vary the exposed length of its body portion on the right-hand section 4.y The lip 15 engages the walls of the slot 6 to prevent up.

ward movement of the strip 8. The signal strip 9 is then mounted on the section 4 with the free end of its bodyl 11 extending through the transverse slot 3 and superimposed on the body 10 of the signal strip 8. The handle portion 12 of the signal 9 overlies the card 1 and is manipulated to vary the exposed length of the signal strip 8 on the right-hand section 4 independently ot the signal strip 9.

The card 1 and signal strips 10 and 11 thus assembled, are preferably removably mounted in a usual form of a support sheet 16 with a spacing member 17 on one margin having a card holder for visible indexes and a sheath 18 on the opposite margin. The sheath 18 is of a transparent material, such as celluloid, folded longitudinally to form a rear lee 19 extending along the rear ot the holder sheet 16 and a front leg 2() overlying the front of the margin and provided with an inturned folded edge 21. This sheath is secured to the sheet by wire stitches 18 at each extremity thereof.

The card and signal assembly above described are inserted under the leg 2t) which resiliently engages and retains the signals and the card. During this assembly the lip 13 of the strip 9 snaps into position behind the inturned edge 21 ot' the sheath as shown in the sectional views in Figs. 5 and 6, thus preventing the removal of such strip by a transverse movement. Each ot the signal members is now mounted for movement and each, through cooperative structure on the enclosing sheath and card, is guided for positive sliding movement, the body portions ot' the signals being retained between the fold portion of the sheath and the top wall of the slot 3 of the card, the extremity of signal strip 9 carrying the handle being retained between the inturned edge 21 of the sheath and the fold portion thereof and the corresponding extremity of strip 8 being retained between the walls ofvslot 6 and the fold portion of the sheath.

The tray 22 is of the usual form used with visible index equipment and is provided with anges or other suitable holding structure for receiving portions of the mounting strip or spacing member 17 of each support sheet for mounting the same in super-imposed stepped relation with the sheath portion 20 of each in visible relation. Any form of supporting means and spacing means for spacing the support sheets may be used, the structure shown in Fig. 1 being submitted for the purposes of illustration.

In operation, the signal strips 8 and 9 under each sheath have portions lying within the scale margin area on the right-hand section 4 of the card. These portions are in a visible position when viewed through the transparent sheath which encloses the margin of the card.

The signals being of ditferent colors; for example as shown in Fig. 1 the signal strip 9 being of light green color and the signal strip 8 being of a light orange color; the superimposed portions of the signals will visually combine colors to effect a neutral shade of color, indicated at 23 in the heavy cross-hatched lilies in Fig. 1. This neutral area in itself forms a delinite visual signal from which portions of the extremities of either of the signal strips may protrude in signalling cmiperation. This enables the formation of a charting area ol' a secondary eolor with the option of the use ot either of: thev primary colors therewith. 'l`lie signal strip 8 is so constructed that when its handle 1l is moved from one end of the slot 6 to the. other end, the entire range of the scale marliings on section 1 is travelled by the'lfree extremity of' the body 10 thereof. 'l`he signal 9 is also movable. to travel over the entire distance of the. scale margin by manipulation of its handle 12. The Alatter signal strip is limited in its movement by the contact ot the sides of its handle member 12 with either the wirestitrh 18 or a wall of the transverse slot 3, depending upon its direction ot travel.

ln Fig. 1, one ot the many uses of this device is illustrated where the scale markings are graded from a central dividing line to indicate a rise and a tall in a stock price. 'lhe orange signal strip 8 is utilized to indicate the price of the stock at the beginning ot a month and the green signal strip is used to indicate the current price ot the stock. The heavy dividing scale line indicates the normal condition of the stock, or it desired, the purchase price. Thus, in the topmost index eleinentfin Fig. 1, the green signal strip is set at three in the rise column, indicating the current price to be three points above the purchase price, i. e. the dividing line.

The orange signal is set at a two point fall in the fall column indicating that the price of the stock at the beginning ot the month was down two points. The portion of theI green signal protruding from the secondary color area indicates the difference or a five point rise from the beginning of the month to the current date. Using the same symbols in the second index element, the price at the beginning of the month is one point under purchase price as indicated by the protruding orange signal. strip, and the current price is six points below the purchase price. The difference between the secondary color arca and the protruding orange signal strip indicates a five point drop from the beginning of the month.

It is to be understood that the pair of super-A posed signals cooperate to indicate a plurality of conditions by varying the extent of the exposedportions thereof, not only relative to each other, but also relative to the marginal portions of the index card. This signalling cooperation is usual for other things than stock market conditions and wherever a plurality of indications regarding a series of constantly changing facts are desired to show vtheir relationship, this invention is applicable in the use of the independently operated signals in cooperation with each other and the record card.

What is claimed is: y

1. An index device comprising a card having aoslot formed in one margmal portion a pair of signal strips extending through said slot and independently movable along the marginal portion of the card, portions of said signal strips being superimposed for signalling cooperation, and means enclosing the marginal portion of said card and said signal strips.

2. An index device comprising a card, a pair of signal strips and means on one margin of said card for slidably mounting said signal strips for independent movement, one of said signal strips being of transparent material and having portions superimposed on por- Y tions of the remaining signal strip, said transparent signal strip vhaving signalling cooperation with the'portions of the remaining signal strip visible therethrough.

3. An index device comprising a card having a slot in one edge portion, a sheath enclosing the slotted edge of said card, a pair of signal strips slidably mounted between said sheath and the front of said card and forming visible portions and having other portions extending in superimposed relation through the slot in said card to the back thereof, said signal strips being independently'movable relative each other for signallinor cooperation between the visible portions lthereof.

4. An index device comprising a card having a lateral slot in one marginal portion dividing the marginal portion into two seo` tions, one of said sections provided with an elongated slot spaced from and parallel to said marginal portion, a signal strip mounted under said slotted section and extending through said lateral slot to overlie said unslotted section, a handle portion on said signal strip comprising a lateral extension extending through said elongated slot, a second signal strip mounted on said unslotted section, superimposed on said first named signal strip and extending through said lateral slot, and transparent means enclosing the marginal portion of the card and the signal strips, said signal strips being independently movable on the card for signalling cooperation between the portions thereof on the un# slotted portion of Said card.

5. An index device comprising a card having a lateral slot in one marginal portion dividing said portion into two marginal sections, one of said sections provided with an elongated slot spaced from and parallel to the edge of the marginal portion, a signal strip mounted under said slotted section and extending through said lateral slot to overlie the remaining section, a handle portion adjacent one extremity of the signal strip comprising a lateral extension thereof, said hany dlel portion extending through the elongated slot in the card, and sheath means enclosing the marginal portion of the card and the signal strip, said handle portion extending on the surface of said card beyond the sheath and adapted for manual manipulation to move the signal strip.

' 6. An index device comprising a card having a lateral slot in one marginal portion dividing said portion into two marginal scctions, one of said sections provided with' an yelongated slot spaced from'and parallel to the edge of the marginal portion, a signal strip mounted under the slotted section and extending through the lateral slot to overlie the remaining section, a handle portion adjacent one extremity ofthe signal strip comprisinga lateral extension thereof, said handle portion extending through the elongated slot in said card, and sheath means enclosing the marginal portion of the card and said sigmaterial mounted on said marginal ortion c and each being independently mova le and both having portions extending through the slot in said card to the rear side thereof, a transparent sheath enclosing the marginal portion of said card and said signal strips, each signal strip and said card being of a different color, the superimposed portions of said strips visually combining colors to form a secondary .colored signal area, either of said strips being selectively adjustable relative the other to vary the area of the secondary colored signal area, said area having signalling cooperation with portions of either signal strip protruding therefrom.

8. An index device, comprising a card, a pair of superposed signals, and means on one margin of said card for slidably mounting said signalsthereon for independent movement relative to each other and the margin of the card with portions of each signal exposed and other portions concealed, the exposed portions being 'variable by sliding of the signals for signalling cooperation with each other and the margin offsaid card.

9. An index device, comprismg a card, a pair of signals, and means on one margin of VAsaid 'card mounting said signals for independent sliding movement with portions of each exposed andother portions concealed,

the exposed portions being variable by slidgeo ing of said signals for signalling cooperation with the margin of said card.

10. An index device comprising a card, a

pair of signal strips having superimposed portions and means on one margin of sald K card for slidably mounting said signal strips for independent movement, each signal strip and said card being of a different color, the superimposed portions of said strips visually combining colors to form a secondary col ored signal area, either of said strips being selectively adjustable relative to the other to vary the area of the secondary colored signal area, said area having signalling cooperation with portions of either signal strip protruding therefrom.

ARTHUR REX JACKSON. 

